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The Pilgrim’s Banner. PUBLISHED-SEMI MONTHLY BY LEE HANKS AND R. H. BARWICK. BOSTON, - - • UA. EDITORIAL STAFF! LEE HANKS, Bost-n, Ga., R. 11. BARWICK,. • Pavo, SUBSCRIPTION RATES IN AD VANCE. FOR THK UNITED STATES. CANADA AND MEXICO. Single copy one year..' SI.OO Single copy six months 50 Single copy three months,, 25 Single copy 5 Sample copies sent free on appli cation. Add ress all Conimnnicalions for publication to THE PILGRIM’S BANNER. BOSTON, CA. Special Notice. In writing communications for the Pilgrim’s Banner, please ob serve the following rules: Rule 1. Do not write on but ONE SIDE of your paper. Rule 2. Write PLAIN AND DISTINCT, so that it can be easily read. Special Rule No. 3. Above all things. DO NOT write with a LEAD PENCIL. Strictly adhere to the above rules and you confer a great favor on us and a Special Favor to the Printer and Compositors. THE PUBLISHERS. Entered at tbe Post Office at Bos ton, Ga., as second class mail matter EDITORIALS. —The Change. ■ I- I. Our readers learned from the last issue of the Banner, that Eld. Hanks and myself, had bought the Pilgrim's Banner from Eider Simms, and that it would be re moved to Boston, Ga. and publish ed in phamphlet form. In mak ing this venture we h»ve assumed enormous responsibilities which makes me almost tremble to think of it. • We have incurred a heavy debt, and I realize that if the pa per is not a success, J and ~ we are unable to pay our indebtedness, that it will be a very serious mat ter with us. I think of the hundreds of dear brethren and sisters and their children and friends who read the Bannmr and have become attach ed to it, and always welcome its coming, and I hate for them to joso it. We-cannot hope to make money off of the paper—indeed that is not our purpose, in assum ing its management and owner ship, and we wil* feel proud if it pays expences, but our object, if not altogether deceived, is to send out a paper that will be a blessing to God’s people, and one that will be safe for them to read. Elder Simms, its former owner and Editor-in-chief, conducted the pa per in such away, that together with his able and instructive Edi torials, he has won a warm place in the hearts of God’s children that will not cease to exist this side of the grave. We do not feel that we can edit the paper better than Elder Simms did, and tor my part, Ido truly fully feel that I am far behind him in every respect, and was it not for the tact that Elder Hanks is associated with me in this sol emn task, I would fear to under take it worse than I do. I have tried to pray God to give me a special endowment of His Holy Spirit, that we may send forth a paper that will have for its object the glorification of God and the good of His people. At the same time we ask all lovers of truth everywhere that if you find the paper worthy of your patron age, that you help us to increase its circulation and keep the sub- scriptions paid up, so that we be able to continue it without any great sacrifice. Many who read it are prompt to pay their subscription, others let it run one year and sometimes mor -, through carelessness or a lack of the money just at the prop er time, while there are others, I am sorry to say, whose names are on our books, and who have been receiving the paper almost or quite from its first issue, who have nev er p*iid anything. We are puzzled to know the object ot this class of readers in taking the paper; for all ought to know that we cannot furnish the paper free, except to agents and indigent readers, and if they know and love the truth published in this paper, I know they are honest, for grace makes men honest, and I am at a lose to know why they don’t pay for it. Per haps some have taken it through courtesy to the editors, or, the publication itself, and if so we would insist that you pay for the time you have received it, and if it does not please you to read it, just let us know and we will drop your name from the list, only pay what you are honestly due. We mean business and cannot run the paper on air, hence we want all who are m arrears to pay up. We do not expect everyone to keep exactly up with his subscription, but it looks like the paper might be remembered sometimes. While we write thus, if you want the paper and will drop us a card to wait with you until you can pay, we will most cheerfully do so, and if any one who wishes to read it and is not able to pay for it, will let us know, they shall have it free. There is nothing binding to cause anyone to sub scribe for the paper, but »we ask all who love the truth to help us, by writing us their church news, etc., and circulating the paper provided you feel that it is worth the money. We want x one —> u ij i.» ilmi imfc. Ifyu4n unnd it and who does not think it is worth one dollar a year. If you think it is, then we respectfully ask lor your patronage, We do not pnpose to dun you in every issue, but we will shortly issue some statements of what you owe, who are as much as two years be hind, and mail it to you and ask you,to settle; it you are not pre pared and will ask us to wait we will do so, otherwise we will be obliged to.drop you from our list. We think this would be justice to all parties. As is elsewhere stated, the paper will after this issue, be published at Boston, Ga. but all the business part of it will be conducted by me at Pavo, Ga. All that is now due, or will hereafter be due, should be sent, by money order or registered letter, to me at Pavo, Ga.and if tbe dates opposite your names on the paper, does not appear correctly, please notify me, tor we want each sub scriber to get his paper and get it regularly, and we intend they shall if possible. We would most earnestly re quest that all who are interested in the welfare of the paper, would ask the Lord in our behalf that we may send you a nice clean pamphlet, filled with such things as will comfort and cheer, and in struct, and benefit all into whose hands it may come. R. H. Barwick. Godly Deportment. The life of the ministry should be an example in faith and purity to all other believers. They are chosen and called of God —the Lord of the harvest —as minister ing servants, under-shepherds, reapers, and as ensamples to the flock of God in all good works. “Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matt, x, 16. Many of God’s servants have brought shipwreck upon them selves by not heeding this sacred command: and not only to them selves but on the flock entrusted to their stewardship. ✓ When they should have been engaged in studying God’s wi>rd and how they should conduct themselves, and minister to the saints of their spiritual Many of them have been engaged in foolish and filthy jesting which will increase unto more ungodli ness and discourages, alm<^~over throw the faith of some poor trembling Christian who is looking to him for a word of comfort and exp ecting to hear someth mg| of Jesus and his goodness to poor sinners. One instance I will here relate that came under my personal knowledge, and which uroves chat ministers should be cautious at all times. I baptized a brother not long since, who dated his hopes back several years, to a time when he .was walking along a road in a strange cc untry alone, and was greatly troubled over his sms. Eld Simms was traveling the same road and hud stopped to eat dinner by the road-sid<and as this brother came up they got up a conversation and Eld. Simms got led out on a Christian’s expe rience, He knew nothing of the other’s trouble, and it all was pass ed trom his mind until I told him of it, but while he was talking the other was relieved of his biyden and dated his experience back to that day. If Eld. Simms had en gaged in fnvolous conversation the man might have been discour aged and almost lost confidence in the Old Baptists. I have often heard people WU or times when they would seek the company of Elders to hear tipme thing of Jesus and bis love and how sadly they were disappointed and their .confidence in religion shaken by the indulging in fool shness and worldly talk of those fiom whom thiy better things. It is do me That infidelity is .I-, a cold stale condition. Let the ministry arise and con demn ungodliness in all its forms and lead exemplary lives before the church and the world and re ligion will regain its lost ground, God will be glorified and our re ligion will be worth more to us. I have no confidence in this sanct ified Bunday religion which will not last through the week. We ought to mix cur religion in our every-day life—in our walk and conversation and let it be a part of us. I visited an old brother not long since who is very feeble and his family are watching for his death daily, and he took me by the hand and said, “Brother Barwick I want you to pray for me, but do not pray for me to get well. I am so tired and sick of this world, that I am anxious to go to rest. I have seen the gates of heaven open for me, and I know I shall be at rest. I have dreaded death in the past, but I- dread it no longer, lam going to rest and 1 pray God to let me go to-night.” I looked upon his pale wasted features as he uttered this sweet language and I felt, “0 for such religion as this when I come to die.” I felt as near the gates of heaven as I had ever been—conversing with one who was ready and not afraid to die, one for whom the monster death had been bound in iron chains, one whos? heart was completely taken away from earth, and wholly centered upon heaven. Dear reader, this is the kind of religion I want all my life and at my d*-ath. Let us all try to live it here by doing good for evil, and by looking daily for the coming of our blessed Lord.—R. H. B. Pamphlet Form. After this issue we want to put the Banner in pamphlet form, tne same size as when published by brother John Post at Troy, Ala. containing 32 papes of reading matter which will amount to 768 pages in one year for onh SI.OO. You can have this bound if you wish and pr< served for years. This will incur quite an expense? upon us, and a small sacrifice from each subscriber in remi ting his own subscription and aiding in sending us new subscribers will enable us to send forth a paper of which you will all fuel proud. Let us go to work at once and put our shoulders to the wheel and have a good home paper filled with the good old doctrine of salvation by grace which lifts sinners out of the mire and clay and makes them Kings and Priests to God. Pray for us that our steps in this may be ordered of the Loid, and that izood may be accomplished in ad justing little difference of opinion and cementing us in love. Help us brethren. Yours in love. Lee Hanks. Read It. We hope every Primitive Bap tist parent into whos hands this is sue of the Banner may fall, will read the article on the first page headed “How.” It is a well writ ten article on a timely and impor tant subject, and furnishes food for thought for . all parents who desire to raise and train their chil dren in that way that they would respect the worship of Gcd and re flect credit upon those in to whose hands they have been intrusted. Also the concluding paragraph, teaching how pastors should teach important and lasting lessons to the rising generation, is of paramount importance. Read it. —S. Atlanta Ga, Aug, 96. Mrs R. A. Phillips. Dear Sister in hope of Christ— I feel inclined to write you to-day. Wish I could have seen you again you left Atlanta. I was asked me the question Mbrufd Millers,- the last ¥v>u- you asked me what spirit prompt ed or caused a Christian to doubt and fear? I was sorry to have been placed in the position to either have to evade the truth as I undei stand it, or tell it in my light and thereby be an offense or stumbling-block to you and oth ers. My natural make-up is to meet everything squarely—dodge nothing. And I followed that plan that day answering your question. I said just as little as possible, and soon left. I never want to be a stumbling-block to any one. If I cannot be benefi cial; I prefer not to talk at all. I cannot alter my experience and would not, if I could. So I often think it best for me to say as little as possible about it. I lose no opportunity, and spare no effort to fully do what God tells me to do. 1 cannot afford to be distrustful of God. I know lam living here in a sinful body of flesh, and that its tendency is to sin all the time; and not a day passes that I do not feel and know that through this fleshly body I have sinned. And my greatest de sire is to so control the flesh as to commit as little sin as.possible. And to do this, dwell on spiritual thoughts all the spare time I have from tiie actural engagements of my profession. Notwithstanding these daily sins I commit, I never nave, sii ce my deliverance, had one dark and gloomy feeling like 1 hear others speak about. I feel sorry about having committed the sinful thoughts or acts; and never fail at the very time they occur to beg God to forgive me. Had you not left the hall that day, I would have offered you one more thought on the reason of “doubts and fears’’ And will here venture to mention it. hoping I may not widen the difference between us that I then caused by my answer. and fears, —in addition to T the answer then—will also arise from a lack of perfect trust. * Now, in one sense, (hat lack of perfect trust is a disobedience. But we doubt uolbiisg in a natur al sense when wh have unbounded trust. To illustrate—ll I own a gentle buggy-horse, I drive him in any and all kind of places, and he never gives me trouble. And I reach the point of perfect trust in the animal; —I have no doubt or fear as to how he will behave himself. I put all confidence in him?—do not ever watch him at anytime, or undei any kind of circumstances; —1 feel to know that horse will behave himself properly. But I change my horse for a trickish mule; I trust him for nothing; I feel to know that he must be watched all the time. I have my doubts and tears of him continually. I never feel perfect ly easy wtiile driving him:—know I cannot trust him. 1 trust God infinitly more than I could my gentle horse. I know he is not only trust-worthy, but that he is able to perform all his premises, I further know that he is not only able, but will comp’y with them, 1 do not trust John F. Daniel as much as 1 would my trickish muel, because I know he is nothing but flesh, and as sinful as could be, if not held in check. So you catch my idea. That Gods little children will trust more or less to themselves, and just in propoition as they trust to them selves, are their doubts and fears; for God is a jealous God, and the moment hi* little children rely on themselves that moment he with draws his light and power, and he withdraws just in propoition to the amount they distrust him; hence, the grades of doubts and fears experienced by God’s chil dren. During the two long years of my conviction,time and time again I promised God that if lie just would let* me live, I never, no, /never would mistrust him. And tiinuhn b® to holy • iisme II never have mistrusted Him a, sin gle time since my deliverance!! And oh what a joy he is right now giving me while I am penning these truths to you!! My dear sis ter, I hope you will more fully understand me after reading this very imperfect letter; and be dis poseed to throw the mantle of charity over what you may be con strained to believe my errors. But this lite ot mine has been a glorious one to me ever since Sept, 1871. I may some day to travel through darkness and gloom spiritually, but hope not. The sad death of my only son this last April, was the most crucial test I have ever had in the 25 years; and in all my sorrows in giving that sweet boy up God has entermigled His joys and comforts in the proportion of two to one. I immediately after the last breath left his body, began to sing with more joy and comfort two to one than sorrows “Praise God from whom all blessings flow." And so my life wears on and I ft el perfectly resigned God-idea 1 - ing with me and mine. I want to do his holy will, whatever that is, or may be concerning me. And I feel all the time that 1 shall be glad when his will shall be to take me to my blessful home where I can praise Him without any mix ture of sin; —Where all will be light;—where that spoken of in Proverbs (the path of the just is as a shining light that shines more more and more unto the perfect day) will end in Christ’s everlas ting presence. Your humble brother in God’s hands. J. F. Daniel. Bro. D. will pardon me for this literty with his private letter (mis laid for a time) also he now know that he was mistaken as that his words were distastful or stumbling block to me—P. ‘RE-BAPTISM.’ 4 During the last few years sever-) 1 al brethren and sisters, of differ ent localities, have asked me to write on the above; then recently Eld. Barwick insisted on it; and now Eld. Hanks strongly solicits me to do so at once. I suppose it is because they know this question was once practically before me. And here let me say, of the many, this was tbe most difficult obstruc tion to surmount in my way of leaving the Missionary and going to the Primitive Baptist. In complying with the above re quest, I feel constrained to give a part of my own personal experience that h d me up to the investiga tion of this subject, with the idea and hope of, perhaps, more fully meeting the case of some others. In my eighteenth year I receiv ed a hope early one Wednesday morning in 1851, and was baptized by the Missionaries the, next Sun day, and soon after was married. I had not searched the scrip tures, but had read the new testa ment. So regarded the Missiona ry Baptist as one of the churches of Christ. 1 loved them because they seemed so devoted to his cause and to love and serve Jesus, my wonderful Savior. After baptism I certainly felt the answer of a good conscience. And Jesus “all the day lone was my joy and my song.” I then felt that I cdiikL f >rsake all earthly kindred to fol low him. I remember grieving be cause there was no severe test to try and prove my love for him. Alas, in what an unexpected way it came. I think one of my main objects in joining them was to join in their ready system of good works. I was eager to begin, in heart exulting at the. thought and intentions of doing so much -in timely works for him who had done all things for me in eternal salvation. I believed in the Bap tist doctrine of salvation by grace, but also in good works that should follow from love as a result. And that as believing their Institutions and systems of work were support ed Ty "scripture, “*■' V "rejdttsl that they were established ready to my eager hands, and that I had the means as well as the privilege. I never thought then of being anything but a Missionary, and a working one. But before I had done anything in this line—a few weeks after joining—l was arrested by a scrip ture —the peculiar force and pow er of which I can never describe— spoken aloud, apparently, in my heart, or inner being, saying—“lf ye love me, keep my command ments.” The effect was wonder ful : For it seemed to turn me right about, so to speak, and send my mind in new channels of thought—of fields unexplored. I had accepted, love, and worshipped Jesus as my Savior, and was eager to work, more as a “free will offer ing” from my love, than from a thought of obeying and honoring Jesus I think. But now I was led to see that as my Savior truly, he had bought me with a price, and I was not my own ; —that my Savior was my rightful Master and law giver. And now “if ye love me, keep my commandments.” This came to me often, and at the most unexpected time. And now I dare not engage in any work until' I found his command tor it. I thought there were scriptural commands for the Missionary works, but I must see them for myself. This sent me reading and searching the new testament. In two or three months I almost knew it “by hea,rt.” And instead of a command of Jesus for all their Institutions and. inventions for good works, —and that com prised the issues between, and sep arating them from, the Primitive Baptist—l lound them condemn ed and forbiddened. I then told them I could not stay with them, and culled for my church letter. Tney tried to sat isfy me, and as a last resort, r&- sered me to J. R. Graven— Editor of the “Tennessee Baptist,’’ of Nashville Tenn, —who wrote me that there was no scripture for these things, that the best that could be said for them, was, that